Courtesy Daily Mirror

 Bloomberg report notes that wage disparities persist, with foreign workers often earning less than Russian nationals for similar roles

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By Nishel Fernando

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​Russia is turning to South Asia, including Sri Lanka, to address a widening labour shortage that has been exacerbated by the war in Ukraine and long-term demographic shifts. 

A report by Bloomberg highlights that Russian recruiters are aggressively scouting for workers in Sri Lanka, India, and Bangladesh as Moscow faces its most severe workforce crisis in decades. 

With an estimated need for 11 million additional workers by the end of the decade, the Russian economy is pivoting away from its traditional reliance on Central Asian migrants toward new source markets.

​This strategic shift comes as Sri Lanka sets an ambitious target of securing 350,000 foreign employment opportunities in 2026. The government is actively seeking to diversify beyond traditional Middle Eastern markets, making the opening in Russia a timely development. 

According to Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs data cited in the report, the issuance of work permits to foreigners hit a multi-year high in 2025, exceeding 240,000. While India saw a dramatic surge in permits—rising from roughly 5,000 in 2021 to over 56,000 in 2025 – Sri Lanka is becoming an increasingly attractive source for skilled and semi-skilled labour.

​Recruitment agencies such as Moscow-based ‘Intrud’ are reportedly expanding their operations to the island nation to fill vacancies in sectors ranging from construction and logistics to municipal services like snow clearing. Russian employers are expressing a growing preference for South Asian workers who are typically bound by specific contracts and visas, offering more stability than the visa-free mobility of workers from regions like Tajikistan or Uzbekistan.

​The potential influx of Sri Lankan labour into Russia aligns with Colombo’s broader strategy to bolster foreign exchange reserves. Official data indicates that 2025 was a milestone year, with total departures for foreign employment exceeding 311,000. This outbound migration has served as a critical economic buffer, with workers’ remittances reaching an estimated US$ 7.8 billion in 2025 – a figure that has played a pivotal role in stabilising the exchange rate and financing essential imports.

​However, the move into the Russian market presents complex challenges. While the demand for manpower is robust, the Bloomberg report notes that wage disparities persist, with foreign workers often earning less than Russian nationals for similar roles. Furthermore, the nature of the work often involves manual labour in harsh climatic conditions. 

As authorities aim for the 350,000 departure target this year, balancing the economic benefits of these new corridors against the safety and welfare of workers in a conflict-adjacent economy will remain a critical priority..